There is a story in the book of Genesis that captures the gentleness and compassion of a father. This is a beautiful depiction of Jesus our Shepherd gently leading his flock who is the church. I would like to give some background to this story.

It is the narrative of two brothers, Jacob and Esau born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was the elder brother and rightfully should have received the father’s blessing from Isaac. However Jacob deceived his father and stole the blessing from Esau. So, for a number of years Jacob traveled about in fear of his brother Esau. Jacob looks up and sees Esau approaching him with four hundred men. Jacob quickly has his wives Rachel and Leah gather the children to protect them. He feared the worse case scenario, for he had treated his brother so poorly in robbing him of his inheritance. Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Not exactly the reception Jacob was expecting. Jacob offers his brother Esau a substantial gift of livestock as a peace offering; yet Esau declines the gift saying that he already has plenty. Jacob insisted that he receive his gift and Esau concedes and accepts the gift.

The scripture that I am about to share with you is part of the dialogue between brothers.

Genesis 33:12-17
Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.”But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So, let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.”“But why do that?” Jacob asked. “Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.”So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

This is a great story of forgiveness and humility between Jacob and Esau. The point that Holy Spirit highlighted for me in 1995 and again today is the shepherd’s heart for his sheep, represented in Jacob’s concern for his flock and his own children.

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

This is a picture of Jesus our Shepherd and how he leads his children. He is faithful to walk with us through all the stages of our life. When I first received this picture in my quiet time, it was 1995. I was in the middle of raising our four children, caring for our home and being a wife to my husband. I enjoyed this so very much, but it was not without trial. I needed the Lord to build a shelter, to cover and protect me. There are times that we experience a delay to our prayers being answered or he causes us to be sidelined for a while in order to give us rest or to fulfill another purpose we are not aware of yet. I believe those times are indicative of Jesus our Shepherd providing these protective shelters. We are not absent from life. In the midst of adversity we are covered by his grace and endued with wisdom and power. I needed wisdom on how to nurture and prepare these precious children for life. I was very dependent on Holy Spirit; but not anymore dependent than I was when all four of those children left the nest between 2004 and 2006; or when I was diagnosed with a rare cancer that should have taken my life in 2004; or when my husband almost had a heart attack and had to take an early medical retirement in 2004; or when we moved to Florida to become caregivers for my elderly parents. Wow! That is just a portion of my life. I want to repeat, He is a shepherd through all stages of life. He gently leads and yes, at times carries us.

This is a word from the LORD that came to me in my quiet time that September day in 1995.

I hear your cry; I have not turned a deaf ear to you. You are mine. I know the ones that belong to me. Call after me and I will hear you. You are dear to my heart. Jacob did not want to push the animals and the children hard. Likewise, I will not drive you hard. I will walk with you, show you the right paths; and I will build shelters along the way as Jacob did at Succoth. I am your shelter so run into me. I will shelter you through storms of many kinds. I am you peace and your shelter. I love you. You are mine.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription. “The LORD knows those who are his.”

He knows who you are and is intimately acquainted with the details of your life! I remember twenty-eight years ago now; I was consumed with a new baby and at the time wanted so badly to be a part of the ministry of the Women’s Aglow. The Lord specifically spoke to me about this season of my life. He said, “This is a very important season and it will be over before you know it.” Another time, He said, “I have a new ministry for you, it is to your children; teach them.” Seasons are interesting in that they are certain to change. We are to flow with them and of course with the directives we are receiving from the Lord.

I was obedient to the Lord’s directives for my life and such fulfillment came through our precious children. There wasn’t a ministry that compared to it in my estimation. I loved every minute of their growing up. The way the Lord orchestrates things are beyond what we could imagine. In 1996 Nate and I started a youth group in our home that expanded into an urban ministry with a couple of hundred kids. Our children were our worship team and they were an integral part of the ministry. Our children went on to be missionaries with Youth With A Mission. God’s plan is always superior to our own. He foresees what will be the best for us. It is our place to listen and do what he says; then watch the amazing plan unfold as he directs us, for his glory and praise!

Deuteronomy 33:12
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long and the one the LORD loves rests secure between his shoulders.